The Family Next Door - by Zoey Marie Jackson (Paperback)

The Family Next Door by Zoey Marie Jackson is a sweet story. I found the story to be easy to read (a great book to read on a rainy afternoon). I liked the main characters, Matthew and Torryn as well as Matthew’s son, Connor who is a scene stealer. Each of the main characters has issues they need to work on or overcome. Matthew is very buttoned up while Torryn is more carefree (a go with the flow type). I laughed at the scene with Matthew fishing in a suit. When Torryn and Connor came home from their first fishing expedition covered in mud, I could envision the horror on Matthew’s face (he did not want that mud anywhere near his super neat home). Forgiveness and facing your fears are the two main themes that run throughout the story along with faith. I did feel the ending was rushed (it’s like someone stomped on the gas and my head is pushed back against the seat as we zoom towards the conclusion). I appreciated the cute epilogue, but I did feel there were a couple of details missing. I enjoyed the delectable descriptions of Torryn’s baked goods (had my mouth watering). The Family Next Door is a heartwarming tale with an unusual will, an exuberant boy, currency difficulty, a problematic letter, sowing seeds, tasty pastries, a neat freak, and a property line problem.